Ireland is opening a fresh funding opportunity for companies and research partners developing commercially viable breakthrough technologies. The eighth call under the Disruptive Technologies Innovation Fund (DTIF) makes €40 million available to collaborative projects, placing innovation and scale at the centre of the latest business news Ireland.
A major opportunity for technology-led growth
Applications for DTIF Call 8 open on 1 October 2026 and must be submitted by 3 February 2027 at 3pm Irish time. The fund is designed to help transform advanced research into products, services and technologies that can be adopted at commercial scale.
Since its launch in 2018, DTIF has supported 131 collaborative projects. Government approval for previous calls has reached €530 million, with projects spanning life sciences, medical devices, information and communications technology, artificial intelligence, manufacturing and environmental innovation.
The latest call is intended for projects capable of delivering economic and societal impact within a three-to-seven-year commercialisation timeframe. Individual applications must request at least €1.5 million for projects lasting up to three years.
Who can apply and what projects must include
Applications must come from consortia involving at least three eligible partners. Each group must include at least one small or medium-sized enterprise and at least one additional enterprise. Partnerships with Irish research-performing organisations are encouraged.
- All funded partners must be based in Ireland.
- Applicants must be clients of Enterprise Ireland, IDA Ireland, Údarás na Gaeltachta or an eligible research-performing organisation.
- SME partners must provide matched funding.
- Large companies must contribute 60% of project funding.
- Irish semi-state organisations and public bodies may participate as non-funded partners, provided the consortium still includes at least three other eligible partners.
The fund focuses on industrial research and experimental development projects with meaningful scale and potential for deployment. Applications will be reviewed by independent international experts against the quality of the technology, the overall approach, economic impact and sustainability, and the strength of the collaboration.
Regional events will support applicants
Enterprise Ireland is hosting “Disruptech” events to explain the fund and help potential applicants find collaboration partners. The remaining scheduled events are:
- 1 October – Dundalk, Gateway Hotel
- 13 October – Mullingar, Mullingar Park Hotel
- 15 October – Dublin, Aviva
Read more: Ireland’s innovation and enterprise landscape
For further coverage of Irish enterprise, innovation and business growth, follow the latest updates from Daily Digest. Readers can also explore business and technology coverage at Ireland’s business and media news platform.
Why the call matters to Ireland’s economy
The DTIF model is built around cooperation between researchers and industry. That approach can help companies reduce the distance between a promising laboratory concept and a market-ready solution, while giving research institutions a clearer route to commercial impact.
For participating companies, the opportunity is not limited to funding. A strong consortium can provide access to specialist expertise, testing capabilities, commercial partners and routes into international markets. It may also help ambitious firms build the capabilities needed for long-term business growth in Ireland.
Explore more: practical business and innovation resources
Companies considering an application can review the official guidance through the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment’s DTIF webpage. For wider reporting on technology, investment and entrepreneurship, visit Irish innovation and business insights from Luxe Digest.
Frequently asked questions
When is the DTIF application deadline?
Call 8 applications must be submitted by 3 February 2027 at 3pm Irish time.
What is the minimum funding request?
The minimum funding request is €1.5 million for projects lasting up to three years.
How many partners are required?
Each consortium must include at least three eligible partners, including at least one SME and another enterprise.
The takeaway
Ireland’s €40 million DTIF call gives technology companies, researchers and industry partners a defined route to develop and commercialise high-impact ideas. Organisations with a credible technology, a strong consortium and a clear commercial plan should begin preparing early, attend a regional event and assess the eligibility rules before the February deadline. The initiative is an important signal for business news Ireland and for the country’s broader innovation economy.
